How have these designs fizzled out over the years. I dont understand why folks would want a square box vs one of these stoves, so hense i question why they fizzled out? You cant tell me the market demanded square stoves over these for all these years. Beautiful craftsmanship.

anthony7812 wrote:How have these designs fizzled out over the years. I dont understand why folks would want a square box vs one of these stoves, so hense i question why they fizzled out? You cant tell me the market demanded square stoves over these for all these years. Beautiful craftsmanship.

Cost to build has a lot to do with it, but also space, fireplace size, etc. probably plays a part too. I know to replicate one of these true baseburners (not simply a parlor Cannon Type) would be crazy money Even if you had the original Molds/Patterns the sheer number of castings would be unbelievable to try and have made and assembled for less than $10,000k (then add on Nickel Plating and Bronze Finials and were now into no-mans land)

anthony7812 wrote:How have these designs fizzled out over the years. I dont understand why folks would want a square box vs one of these stoves, so hense i question why they fizzled out? You cant tell me the market demanded square stoves over these for all these years. Beautiful craftsmanship.

A question I have puzzled over too.

Everything evolves. Evolution is far from being just an interesting biological fact. Puzzling out the reasons for the evolution of stoves means recognizing the economic as Doug pointed out as well as the technological pressures involved. Fashion also plays a big part.

The Victorian age which lasted about 60 years and longer in influence probably witnessed greater technological change than at any period, even our own. The world was their oyster and was awash with cocky, confident people sure that they had reached the apex of civilization. Their artifacts reflect that attitude with all their whimsy of design, not just in stoves but in those turreted houses as well; early cars too. We are looking at the evolution of a mind set. It is what it is.

anthony7812 wrote:How have these designs fizzled out over the years. I dont understand why folks would want a square box vs one of these stoves, so hense i question why they fizzled out? You cant tell me the market demanded square stoves over these for all these years. Beautiful craftsmanship.

A question I have puzzled over too.

Everything evolves. Evolution is far from being just an interesting biological fact. Puzzling out the reasons for the evolution of stoves means recognizing the economic as Doug pointed out as well as the technological pressures involved. Fashion also plays a big part.

The Victorian age which lasted about 60 years and longer in influence probably witnessed greater technological change than at any period, even our own. The world was their oyster and was awash with cocky, confident people sure that they had reached the apex of civilization. Their artifacts reflect that attitude with all their whimsy of design, not just in stoves but in those turreted houses as well; early cars too. We are looking at the evolution of a mind set. It is what it is.

I think one could argue that in many aspects, they did live during the apex of our Civilization.

Think about how many things were made in that era and earlier that can still function today! I have a hard time believing half of those items in modern form could do the same. Cars use to require a bit more upkeep, but were simple and mechanical, now one little electrical failure could result in a very dangerous situation. One of the many reasons I am making the switch to a hand fed coal stove, no electronics to rely on and a stove that should last many times over a modern furnace when properly used. I may be young, but I appreciate old fashioned craftsmanship that modern manufacturing can not offer or at least not at an affordable price.

Walter is the owner of this premier baseburner collection left in an estate, the brochures, the stoves, etc. he is going to try and make a facebook page for at some point. He has given permission for me to post this information and photo archive to this forum but If anyone wishes to purchase one or more from this collection PM me for his contact info (the collection is in Cali. which makes it a little tricky for one unit but If you see one that you just have to have... its worth it)! Every single one of these stoves (as you can see) is Museum Quality (I will post some of the ones with ovens that are going to blow your mind!)

I welcome any stove hospitals or antique shops to add to this thread to archive their rare beauties as well...

I am disheartened to hear they are so far away,as I thought I had a chance to own one.I will be taking my daughter to see a school in Providence,R.I.,so W.Barnstable will be my next stop.Even that is a long way from Pennsylvania,my home state.I certainly appreciate the pictures,though.

fifthg wrote:I am disheartened to hear they are so far away,as I thought I had a chance to own one.I will be taking my daughter to see a school in Providence,R.I.,so W.Barnstable will be my next stop.Even that is a long way from Pennsylvania,my home state.I certainly appreciate the pictures,though.